Divisions & disharmony

It is unfortunate that when our concern should be to fight the scourge of terrorism, anti-social elements are hell-bent on creating fissures in the fragile fabric of society.

Apropos of the report Violence erupts in Patiala, Punjab remains tense (May 17), it is unfortunate that when our concern should be to fight the scourge of terrorism, anti-social elements are hell-bent on creating fissures in the fragile fabric of society. This phenomenon is reminiscent of the Nirankari-Akali clashes that had vitiated the religious harmony in Punjab in the past. There is need to nip the Sacha Sauda crisis in the bud.

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Tarlok Singh
via e-mail

Hollow secularists

Apropos of Jyotirmaya Sharma’s article The BJP’s lost plot (May 15), detractors have been writing the BJP off before and after every election. But the party has an uncanny knack to fight back. This may not be good news for secularists. Mayawati used Hindu slogan ‘Haathi nahin Ganesh hai’ to consolidate her vote-bank. She is a Dalit and maintains her Hindu ethos, unlike secularists who try to vilify Hindutva.

Priyadarshi Dutta
Delhi

Democracy derailed

Manoj Joshi in Islamabad vs Pakistan (May 16) has rightly said the violence in Pakistan is only the tip of the iceberg of the chaos and anarchy in the country initiated by Musharraf and his allies. While blood of lawyers and other civilians was being shed by the pro-government MQM in Karachi, Musharraf has acted like a mafia don. He has done great disservice to the cause of Pakistan. It is time the US and the West support the people of Pakistan who want democracy in the country. It is in the interests of the West to support democracies, notwithstanding tactical requirements.

Vipul Thakore
London

II

Musharraf can do anything to remain either the President or Chief of Army Staff. By throwing out the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Chaudhry, he has tarnished his image. The continuous unrest in Pakistan shows time has come for Musharraf to say goodbye to his powers or face the music like other dictators.

AR Siddiqi
Delhi

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